macrumors 65816

Is more than twice as fast
Is Thinner
Is Lighter
Has LTE
Has a bigger/better calibrated screen
Utilizes 5Ghz Wi-fi N networks
Has 1GB of RAM
Uses current charging technology
Has a sapphire camera lens/Upgraded FaceTime camera
Has a better speaker
Has better noise cancellation
Has better battery life

And, oh yea, if you abuse it it can develop "scuffs" slightly easier than that material they use on the back of the 4S (that never shatters or cracks).

Not to mention it's worth twice as much on the secondary market (because 99% of the normal world realizes that the "problems" with the 5 have largely been cooked up by either the OCD crowd or Android users pretending they have issues). Are there some? Probably, but they are NOT the norm (and if you get one, just take it back... it's not like they force you to keep it if the screen is bad or something lol...).

macrumors 68020

iPhone 5. Going from an iPhone 4 to an iPhone 4S is not really "wow". You'll only notice faster speeds, but not any real new functionality. Going from an iPhone 4 to 5: new design, bigger display, even faster CPU, awesome GPU, aluminium that doesn't crack/break, better display in general (in-cell, less reflections, better colours, higher brightness).

macrumors 6502a

I'd go with a 4S. unless you'll be downloading apps OTA (which are capped at 50mb anyway) or lots of music OTA, or you somehow have LTE but no 3G in your area, then LTE is just for bragging. But if you're a heavy mobile gamer, then the iphone 5 is better. Otherwise I'd get the 4S and do something more useful with the extra money (charity? Invest? Buy new underwear?)

macrumors regular

I would go for 5 if I were you.Besides the huge differences between 4S and 5 in techinical aspect you ll understand what I am saying when you touch it.I had 4S and when I touched it was sooo light that I couldnt believe and definetly want one

macrumors 68020

macrumors 68020

I was about to buy in iPhone 5. I was in the store and playing with it but then pulled out my 4S and realized it wasn't worth it.

The bigger screen just adds more icons and a lot of apps haven't been updated for it yet. I would've liked LTE but wasn't going to drop that much money for 1 new useful feature. I was actually super excited to get it since it was announced but right then I realized I was just under the marketing spell and couldn't justify spending the money.

Maybe I'll change my mind in a few months or just wait for the next one, but I realized that the 4S is a great phone and already does everything I need. I recommend just weighing the extra costs vs benefits, the 4S might be all that you need.

macrumors 601

I was about to buy in iPhone 5. I was in the store and playing with it but then pulled out my 4S and realized it wasn't worth it.

The bigger screen just adds more icons and a lot of apps haven't been updated for it yet. I would've liked LTE but wasn't going jto drop that much money for 1 new useful feature. I was actually super excited to get it since it was announced but right then I realized I was just under the marketing spell and couldn't justify spending the money.

Maybe I'll change my mind in a few months or just wait for the next one, but I realized that the 4S is a great phone and already does everything I need. I recommend just weighing the extra costs vs benefits, the 4S might be all that you need.

Click to expand...

We have 3 full months of reviews. Folks here in this forum concur with the mainstream press, 4->5 Good. 4s->5 perhaps not.

thread startermacrumors regular

I was actually kinda leaning towards the 4S but some of you guys bring up some really good points. The thing that scares me about the 32 GB 4S is it's no longer in production so an Apple guy told me.

So say I had some kind of technical issue or something went wrong with the phone I'm not sure how they would replace it if I was within my return period?

The thing that's scares me about the 5 is I've heard so much negative things about it such as scuffs bending wifi signal drops and the screen freezing up when scrolling fast. But like some of you said some of those problems are being over exaggerated.

Say I go with the 5 is there something in the serial number I should look for or ask for?

macrumors member

Is more than twice as fast
Is Thinner
Is Lighter
Has LTE
Has a bigger/better calibrated screen
Utilizes 5Ghz Wi-fi N networks
Has 1GB of RAM
Uses current charging technology
Has a sapphire camera lens/Upgraded FaceTime camera
Has a better speaker
Has better noise cancellation
Has better battery life

And, oh yea, if you abuse it it can develop "scuffs" slightly easier than that material they use on the back of the 4S (that never shatters or cracks).

Not to mention it's worth twice as much on the secondary market (because 99% of the normal world realizes that the "problems" with the 5 have largely been cooked up by either the OCD crowd or Android users pretending they have issues). Are there some? Probably, but they are NOT the norm (and if you get one, just take it back... it's not like they force you to keep it if the screen is bad or something lol...).

I loved my 4S, but it is NO comparison.

Click to expand...

It's gotta be a 5. What's the point in getting a 4s, you know you'll kick yourself for not getting a 5

macrumors newbie

macrumors 65816

It's gotta be a 5. What's the point in getting a 4s, you know you'll kick yourself for not getting a 5

Click to expand...

Not everyone needs the latest, the greatest and the greatest. If you do not have enough cash presently, there's nothing wrong getting the 4S. The camera is around the same, the iPhone 5 is just marginally faster, larger screen may not be a big deal to some and more often than not, HSPA+ speeds are more than enough for anything on the iPhone.

macrumors member

Not everyone needs the latest, the greatest and the greatest. If you do not have enough cash presently, there's nothing wrong getting the 4S. The camera is around the same, the iPhone 5 is just marginally faster, larger screen may not be a big deal to some and more often than not, HSPA+ speeds are more than enough for anything on the iPhone.

Essentially, it's not entirely a downright "stupid" choice.

Click to expand...

I didn't say it was a stupid choice. I am merely speaking from experience, when going for a lower end phone, I've regretted not getting the top specs. It's worth the wait (saving up if needbe) for the 5 IMHO.

macrumors 68030

I bought a new 4S rather than the new 5 simply because of all the issues with this new model (I won't bore you with the long list). Mainly, though, it's prone to bend and it will look like hell with normal use in a year (I hate white, so it would be the black model for me). And having to put a case on such a beautiful device to keep the cheap finish from wearing off is idiotic.

If you're not hard on your phone at all or you keep it in your purse, go for the 5.

I'm hoping they have most of these issues fixed in the 5S. Then I'll grab one.

macrumors 6502

I don't see any reason to ever get the older model phone when you're getting it at a subsidized price. The real cost of the phone is in the $100+ monthly bill that you will be paying regardless of which phone you get. Might as well get the latest and greatest if there is only a $100 difference between a whole year of technology.

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